India’s Expanding Maritime Security: Challenges and Contradictions
74 countries participated in Exercise MILAN 2026, showcasing India’s ambition to emerge as a maritime pivot in the Indo-Pacific. Held in Visakhapatnam, the event highlighted India’s strategic positioning in global maritime security. But behind the pomp lies a complex policy landscape marked by geopolitical maneuvering and domestic vulnerabilities.
India’s policy instruments: Naval modernization and multilateralism
India’s response to its maritime challenges hinges on a combination of hardware upgrades, institutional frameworks, and regional diplomacy. The Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision builds off the SAGAR initiative, promising a greater commitment to collective maritime security. This dovetails with real-world investments:
- Naval modernization: India has expanded its fleet, including commissioning the INS Vikrant, a 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier, marking a step toward blue-water capabilities. The defence budget for FY 2025-26 allocated ₹56,000 crore to naval projects.
- Sagarmala Programme: Modernization of 199 connecting ports under Sagarmala aims to reduce logistics costs—currently at 14% of GDP—by adopting smart and sustainable technologies.
- Coastal radar chains: Over 50 radar stations strategically monitor India’s 7,516-km coastline, assisting in the detection of infiltration and smuggling.
Multilateral engagements such as Exercise MILAN amplify India's credibility in the Indo-Pacific security architecture. However, symbols of diplomacy require consistency in operational capability.
The case for India’s maritime expansion
India’s maritime domain is critical to geopolitical and economic stability. Approximately 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value moves through the seas, underscoring how the security of these lanes directly impacts supply chains and energy access.
China’s burgeoning presence in the Indo-Pacific—evident in its naval bases in Djibouti and the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka—compels India to recalibrate its capabilities. A stronger naval presence not only deters Chinese expansion but also reassures smaller island nations like Maldives and Seychelles. Such partnerships rest on India’s ability to simultaneously project power and offer economic cooperation.
Climate resilience adds another dimension. Rising sea levels threaten coastal livelihoods, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands—where India has mobilized ₹1,800 crore under the Island Development Plan for sustainable infrastructure. An eco-conscious approach to maritime security, therefore, guards against displacement concerns while preserving India’s eco-sensitive coastal areas.
The case against: Weak links in governance and risk management
Despite ambitious plans, gaps in implementation persist. Nearly 25% of coastal districts lack dedicated Marine Police units, creating vulnerabilities in coastal surveillance. The failure of coordination between Indian Coast Guard and state maritime authorities leads to overlapping inefficiencies, as evident during the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Budget distribution reinforces inequities. While naval modernization sees yearly budget increases, technological upgrades in port infrastructure lag. The Sagarmala programme promised connectivity improvements to bridge hinterland-port gaps, yet less than 65% of proposed projects met their original deadlines. Disruption risks—piracy, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters—remain inadequately backed by disaster-response protocols.
The irony lies in MAHASAGAR itself. Framed as an inclusive plan, its success is contingent upon international trust—a commodity in short supply amid deteriorating relations with China. Although the Indian Navy holds multilateral drills, the emphasis on bilateral agreements with Japan and Australia intensifies regional fault lines rather than smoothing them.
International comparison: How Australia balances ambition and constraints
Take Australia, a nation grappling with Indo-Pacific security threats. Through the AUKUS pact, it secured access to nuclear-submarine technology, enabling tactical deterrence. Yet, Australia distinguishes its maritime strategy by its robust domestic coordination. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) oversees navigational and environmental compliance, complementing defence mechanisms.
Unlike India’s fragmented coastal-monitoring system, Australia’s nationwide radar network integrates federal and local agencies seamlessly. This operational efficiency not only minimizes spills and piracy but also lowers fiscal wastage, providing a model for India to emulate.
Where things stand: Bridging intent and capability
India’s maritime ambitions face an intricate balancing act. The geopolitical urgency of China’s naval maneuvers cannot justify incompletely funded domestic policies or poor institutional coordination. Coastal security frameworks must be streamlined with fixed accountability mechanisms to avoid duplicative inefficiencies.
While India bolsters its naval muscle globally, cracks at local seams risk a hollow strategic posture. The unanswered challenge is governance reform—a structural precondition to true maritime strength.
Exam Integration
Practice Questions for UPSC
Prelims Practice Questions
- India prioritizes bilateral agreements over multilateral engagements in the Indo-Pacific.
- The Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision aims at inclusive maritime security.
- Approximately 70% of India's trade by volume is conducted through maritime routes.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- Naval modernization efforts are crucial for deterrence.
- India is relying solely on its existing power to counter China.
- Strengthening partnerships with smaller nations is part of India's strategy.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Exercise MILAN 2026 in terms of India's maritime strategy?
Exercise MILAN 2026 exemplifies India’s growing ambition to position itself as a maritime pivot in the Indo-Pacific region. The participation of 74 countries highlights India's strategic focus on enhancing multilateralism and maritime security, solidifying its credibility in regional security architecture amidst global geopolitical shifts.
How does the Sagarmala Programme contribute to India's maritime security?
The Sagarmala Programme aims to modernize 199 ports to enhance connectivity and efficiency, ultimately reducing logistics costs that currently impact India's GDP. By adopting smart and sustainable technologies, it not only bolsters maritime trade security but also aims to ensure seamless transport links from hinterlands to coastlines.
What are the challenges faced by India in enhancing its maritime capabilities?
India's maritime strategy is hindered by operational inefficiencies between the Coast Guard and state authorities, compounded by infrastructural delays and incomplete project executions. Additionally, vulnerabilities persist due to inadequate coastal policing, lack of disaster-response protocols, and uneven budget allocations impacting modernization efforts.
In what ways does climate change impact India's maritime security?
Climate change, particularly rising sea levels, threatens coastal livelihoods and eco-sensitive areas like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The government's investment of ₹1,800 crore under the Island Development Plan reflects a commitment to sustainable infrastructure, aiming to mitigate displacement risks tied to environmental degradation.
How does India's maritime strategy compare to Australia's approach to similar challenges?
While both nations face Indo-Pacific security challenges, Australia’s strategy is supported by a cohesive domestic coordination exemplified by the AUKUS pact and the roles played by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. In contrast, India's fragmented coastal surveillance and lack of coordination illustrate significant inefficiencies, highlighting areas where India could learn from Australia's model.
Source: LearnPro Editorial | International Relations | Published: 21 February 2026 | Last updated: 3 March 2026
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